Tribeca Film Acquires Tony Kaye's "Detachment" For US Distribution

"Detachment," Tony Kaye's first high-profile feature since "American History X," will be distributed in the US by Tribeca Films in 2012.

The film, which had its world premiere at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, features Adrien Brody as a disaffected substitute teacher who captures the attention of the apathetic students of a crumbling public school. "Detachment" also features a strong ensemble cast, with supporting turns from James Caan, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu and Blythe Danner.

“Detachment is a singular experience. Tony Kaye combines a range of filmmaking techniques, terrific ensemble acting and a wonderful lead performance by Adrien Brody,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “The film truly demands to be seen; we look forward to bringing it to a wider audience through Tribeca Film.”

“A wrenching and powerful achievement… tremendous cast … I was swept along by the spectacular visual journey.”– Salon.com

New York, NY – September 8, 2011 – Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired all US distribution rights, including theatrical, VOD, digital, TV and DVD, to Detachment, a vivid and compelling ensemble drama from acclaimed Director Tony Kaye (American History X, Lake of Fire) that had its World Premiere at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.

Tribeca Film, supported by Founding Partner American Express, plans a 2012 release via a multi-city theatrical engagement, running day-and-date with nationwide VOD and digital distribution, followed by DVD, pay-TV, and a range of other platforms.

In Director Tony Kaye’s Detachment, Academy Award® winner Adrien Brody stars as Henry Barthes, an educator with a true talent to connect with his students. Yet Henry has chosen to bury his gift. By spending his days as a substitute teacher, he conveniently avoids any emotional connections by never staying anywhere long enough to form an attachment to either students or colleagues. When a new assignment places him at a public school where a frustrated, burned-out administration has created an apathetic student body, Henry soon becomes a role model to the disaffected youth. In finding an unlikely emotional connection to the students, teachers, and a runaway teen he takes in from the streets, Henry realizes that he’s not alone in his life and death struggle to find beauty in a seemingly vicious and loveless world.

Kaye, molding a contemporary vision of people who become increasingly distant from others while still feeling the need to connect, directs a stellar ensemble cast from a script by Carl Lund. Anchored by an award-worthy performance from Brody, Detachment also features memorable roles by Christina Hendricks, Academy® Award nominee James Caan, Academy® Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu, Blythe Danner, Tim Blake Nelson, Bryan Cranston, William Petersen and newcomers Betty Kaye and Sami Gayle.

"I was personally drawn to make the movie because I wanted to take the character of Henry Barthes and make him universal, make him all of us, and learn myself from that journey. He is the baton in a relay race, an infinite piece of clay to sculpt, a human being formed out of pain and sent to the masses to teach in the education system. Our purpose in being born is to learn and teach, and to be happy," Kaye said. "Looking at the ever changing landscape of film distribution, I think the Tribeca Film team is perfectly positioned to shepherd Detachment into this new exciting era."

“Detachment is a singular experience. Tony Kaye combines a range of filmmaking techniques, terrific ensemble acting and a wonderful lead performance by Adrien Brody,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “The film truly demands to be seen; we look forward to bringing it to a wider audience through Tribeca Film.”

The US distribution deal was negotiated by Nick Savva and Randy Manis for Tribeca Film, and International Creative Management, which also represents Kaye.

Celluloid Dreams has recently acquired all worldwide sales rights. Mongrel Media has acquired the Canadian rights and will distribute the film in 2012. Pretty Pictures has taken the French rights and is planning a winter 2012 release. Detachment can next be seen at the 37th Deauville Festival.

About Tribeca Film:

Tribeca Film is a comprehensive distribution label dedicated to acquiring and marketing independent films across multiple platforms, including video-on-demand, theatrical, digital, home video and television. It is an initiative from Tribeca Enterprises designed to provide new platforms for how film can be experienced, while supporting filmmakers and introducing audiences to films they might not otherwise see. American Express continues its support of Tribeca and the independent film community by serving as the Founding Partner of Tribeca Film.